Irish Rip Curl Gromsearch Goes Down At Lahinch, Co Clare

June 19, 2008: – - The third leg of the UK & Ireland GromSearch series was held over the weekend in small but perfect waves at Lahinch, Co Clare, Ireland with over 50 of the countries best Groms in attendance to prove their worth in the challenging conditions. Rip Curl hosted this – the 6th annual GromSearch event on the Emerald Isle– the 3rd and final qualifying event in the UK and Ireland series.

The Rip Curl GromSearch series in a global event with the same taking place throughout the rest of Europe over the next month. Kids are encouraged to enter categories covering all age groups -Under 12′s, 14′s and 16′s with first place in the under 16′s Boys and Girls winning a position in the UK and Ireland finals to be held at the Rip Curl Boardmasters scheduled between August 4-10th.

Best performances over the weekend came from Sligo’s Gearoid McDaid who – despite being one of the smallest competitors in the field – took second place in his own age group – under 12′s, but then stepped up his performance in the under 14′s to take first narrowly defeating Iaram Madden from Bundoran.

Cillian Ryan of Lahinch managed to snag the best waves in the dropping conditions during the boys under 16′s finals, beating a very on-form Conor McGuire (Bundoran) who took second place with Rossnowlagh’s James Garvey coming 3rd followed closely by a very unlucky Aaron Reid who couldn’t have even bought a wave during the 20 minute final.

In the Girls under 16′s division it was Niamh Kelly who travelled down from Co Sligo to defeat the younger category competitor – and bright hope for the future of Irish Girls surfing -Ayesha Garvey (Rossnowlagh). Niamh, also won herself a place at the Rip Curl GromSearch series finals in Newquay.

To top–off the weekend Rip Curl added the very talented Tahlia Britton of Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal to its Girls Surf team keeping the GromSearch spirit alive. Tahlia will join Kathleen Spears representing the best of UK and Ireland girls surfers on the Search with Rip Curl.

Special thanks goes out to The West Coast Surf Club and all the crew at Lahinch for their hospitality and helping Rip Curl run another successful GromSearch in Ireland. Next leg of the series will be the UK & Ireland finals to be held during the Rip Curl Boardmasters between the 4th & 10th August 08.